Information Release: WECHU Reviews First Confirmed Human Case of West Nile Virus in 2025

For Immediate Release
Friday, August 15, 2025  | 4:00 p.m. | Windsor-Essex County 

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has reported its first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this yr in a single resident. WNV is an an infection transmitted to folks by means of the chunk of an contaminated mosquito. This optimistic human case is a reminder for WEC residents to proceed to guard themselves.

Most folks with WNV by no means develop signs and won’t know that they’ve an infection with the virus. Symptoms often begin to present between 2-14 days after an individual is bitten by an contaminated mosquito. They can embrace fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, physique aches, pores and skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. While WNV can infect folks of all ages, folks over the age of fifty and people with weakened immune techniques are at larger threat for extreme illness. Anyone involved about any signs ought to contact their well being care supplier.

The following ideas will help defend people from mosquito bites:

• Apply insect repellents which might be accredited by Health Canada and observe the producer’s directions.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, lengthy pants, and a hat when outdoor. Light-coloured clothes is finest as mosquitoes are usually drawn to darkish colors.
• Limit the time you spend outdoor at daybreak and nightfall when mosquitoes are most lively.
• Remove any standing water in locations corresponding to chicken baths, buckets, previous tires, pet water dishes and gutters round your property.
• Make positive that door and window screens match securely and are holes-free.
• Call 311 or your native by-law enforcement for standing water noticed in your neighborhood.

“It is important for everyone to eliminate any standing water around their property and take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites even as we approach the cooler fall months”, stated Dr. Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
 
For extra data on WNV, please go to the WECHU’s WNV web page. For mosquito-borne illness surveillance knowledge, please go to www.wechu.org/stories/mosquito-surveillance. Data is up to date each Friday.